Weasel or Stoat? How to Tell the Difference | Discover Wildlife | Robert E Fuller

112,219

2,688 0

2024-07-26に共有

As an artist, filmmaker and conservationist, I've devoted many years to studying, filming and rescuing both weasels and stoats. This is my definitive guide on how to tell the difference between them.

More weasel and stoat films: • Weasels 😻 | Discover Wildlife | Rober...

JOIN MY MISSION
____________________

You can support my wildlife rehabilitation and conservation work by donating here: www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button… or joining one of my supporter communities: www.robertefuller.com/support_and_donate/

ABOUT THIS FILM
____________________

Difficult to ID
Weasels & stoats are notoriously difficult to tell apart, so much so that attempts to distinguish them have given rise to the well-known joke,: ‘a weasel is weasel-ey recognised and a stoat is stoat-ally different’.

Stoat & weasel studies
For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by both species. I’ve spent countless hours photographing and filming them and they’ve inspired lots of my paintings. I've also rescued and rehabilitated a great many, releasing them back in to wild when the time is right.

UK species
In this film I address just the two weasel and stoat species found here in the UK: the weasel mustela nivalis and the stoat mustela erminea

Mustelids
Weasels and Stoats are part of the mustelid family, a diverse family of carnivorous mammals made up of around 65 species including otters, badgers, martens and more.

Stoats & weasels around the world
They live on all continents apart from Antarctica, but have different names depending on where you are in the world. The weasel, common weasel, least weasel and little weasel all refer to Mustela nivalis . Whilst stoat, Eurasian ermine, ermine and short-tailed weasel, all refer to Mustela erminea. 

Size difference
Often all you ever see of a stoat or a weasel is a flash as one runs across a path or road, so my first tip is to think about their size. Weasels are the world's smallest carnivores, just 25cm long and weighing as little as 50g. Stoats can be up to 40cm and weigh up to 450g!
 
Tail
If you can, look at the tail. Weasels have a short, stubby one, light brown all the way to the tip, whilst a stoat's is much longer and ends in a striking black tip .

Colour
Their coat colour also differs. Weasels are a lighter, ginger colour, whilst stoats are darker red. Both species have the ability to turn white in winter, although not all do, and UK weasels stay brown all year.

Close up differences
If you are able to get a close-up look, weasels have two brown spots behind their jaw, they also have smaller ears and the line that separates the lighter underbelly from the dark fur on the back  is jagged on a weasel and straight on a stoat.

Identifying baby stoats from weasels
It gets even harder to tell the difference between their young, but here you can consider the time of year. Stoats only have one litter, in spring, whilst weasels are fast and reactive breeders and can have two or three litters a year between March and December.

Stoats and weasel similarities.
The two species are very similar. They’re the two smallest mustelids in the UK; both have long, thin bodies with short legs, staying close to the ground; and bother are lightning fast with a powerful jump.

Fearless
Both species are fearless and won't hesitate to try to see off kestrels, owls and more. They will also challenge one another. Sometimes the consequences are severe.

ABOUT ME
____________

I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.

You may like to purchase my artwork: www.robertefuller.com/. Many of my paintings are portraits of the characters you watch here!

You can also follow me on these platforms:
Website: www.robertefuller.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RobertEFullerArt/
Twitter: twitter.com/RobertEFuller
Instagram: www.instagram.com/RobertEFuller/
Or sign up to my newsletter: mailchi.mp/robertefuller/newslettersignup

#robertefuller #stoat #weasel #discoverwildlife

CHAPTERS
_____________

00:00 Stoat & weasel habitats
01.17 Difficult ID
01.34 Names differ round the world
02:09 Mustelids
03:17 Paintings
04:07 Size difference
04.49 Tail
06:36 How to ID young
07:52 Similarities
09.09 Fearless
09:52 Stoats vs weasels
11:03 Recap

___________________

© Robert E Fuller

Copyright Disclaimer: Please feel free to share my videos but do not download any content without permission with the intent to re-upload. If you would like to license any content, please get in touch: [email protected]

コメント (21)

@RobertEFuller 12日前

I hope you've enjoyed the video! To find out more see below:  More weasel & stoat films:youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx09JDaWUEFPzNeixXfUZLl… Sign up to my newsletter: mailchi.mp/robertefuller/newslettersignup Read more about wildlife on my blog: The stories that inspire the paintings - Wildlife Artist Robert E Fuller  Follow me on: www.facebook.com/RobertEFullerArt/ | twitter.com/RobertEFuller | www.instagram.com/robertefuller/ | Robertefuller (@robertefuller) | TikTok
@pioneercynthia1 12日前

Every time I think I've settled on a favorite animal, you upload a video, and now I have to start rethinking.
@AC-ni4gt 12日前

I still remember Stuart and Whisper. Seeing them are just reminders of how amazing nature is.
@shivanisood9666 12日前

Excellent and easy to remember guide of these tiny little but big powerhouses of nature ,always in fast forward mode.
@rami_ungar_writer 12日前

I find it amazing that any small mammal can chase off an owl like that.
@normanjefferychester882 12日前

Thank you Robert, your videos bring a warm spot to my heart, have a great day, thank you for the work you do, to preserve the wildlife
@sgeorgia4729 11日前

I was excited to see Bandita! She was an enchanting stoat. I also love the little stoat bouncing himself on the trampoline! they must bring many smiles to your face as you watch them. Thank you for sharing!
@musiqueetmontagne 12日前

What a fabulous video/documentary Robert. Thank you too for your dedicated, immensely hard work protecting our wonderful species. BBC eat your heart out.
@LadyTarasque 12日前

lol, the stoat trying to chase down the adult hare was pretty comical.. I can just picture sweat flying through the air as it works its little legs in effort to catch up. You know an owl is a newbie when it doesn't get on guard when a stoat approaches it 🤪(not 100% reliable)
@tobiashomann1077 11日前

Thank you very much for this video, Robert! As an autistic person I am always reluctant to try out new things - so far I've only ever watched your "Full Story"-videos about the barn owls, tawny owls, kestrels etc. Took a chance today - and it is wonderful and heartwarming to see that you treat the weasels and stoats with the same enthusiasm and passion, for example in creating places with labyrinthine passages. Now I think I can watch any of your videos and they will always leave me with a smile on my face ;-)
@holdinmcgroin8639 12日前

I gotta say some of the footage you shot here is absolutely fantastic. I'm lucky if i can get a somewhat stable picture of a stoat.
@ispsend6127 12日前

Thank you for yet another excellent video and congrats on 800K subscribers 🥳
@anxiouscucumber9 12日前

That punny quote is hilarious! Weaselly recognised 😂😂 ❤ thank you for making me grin ❤
@maryannguess7115 12日前

Robert,😊 Great educational video..they are so cute..love adorable stoat..❤never saw any, being in city😢😢...your place is nice..adored them playing on children's playground...😂so cute..they are making use of that😊❤..great filming..ty for sharing.. Appreciate ALL your videos, outstanding..❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉ty for bringing joy to my day.
@cherilynlewis8871 12日前

Small but mighty! Survivors...love your videos. Thank you
@user-lq4ct6dr5m 12日前

Imagine been this small and still almost single-handedly destroy the habitats they invaded due to human introduction They're nature's masterpiece
@sylphofthewildwoods5518 12日前

So fascinating! Ferocious little beasties. 😊 I always noticed the size, tails and ears, I wasn't aware there were so many other differences. Thanks for educating the world, REF !
@AustynRich 12日前

Great video Robert! I’ve always wondered the key details that make weasels and stoats different. Your channel is always an excellent place to learn more about animals. Thank you!
@suecastillo4056 12日前

I LOVE these guys!! I wish they were more understood and appreciated! They are endearing rascals! The closest I’ve got to them? Are pet domestic ferrets, cousins mustilidae♥️I love wolverines as well❣️thank you for the video♥️☮️🙋‍♀️‼️
@MarcWestov 12日前

Another fantastic video, Robert xx used to rehabilitate our beautiful wildlife down in Somerset. . . Often explaining to the party how to tell these two beautiful creatures; glad to have such an informational video to put on now xx Your love and passion for our wildlife is truly something special to see.